Free stop hinge

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle, the hinge having a structure in which a pressing force by means for pressing can be set with little variation and can be adjusted easily. The free stop hinge of the present invention connects an opening and closing member to a main body portion so that the opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, which includes a hinge base and a hinge arm rotatably connected to the hinge base through an intermediation of a support shaft. The hinge base and the hinge arm are provided with bearing plates having shaft holes, respectively. Between the bearing plates, a friction plate having a shaft hole is disposed and the hinge arm is supported by a support shaft so as to be rotatable with respect to the hinge base. There is disposed a compression coil spring for biasing one of the bearing plates so as to be pressed to another of the bearing plates through an intermediation of the friction plate the friction plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a free stop hinge which can be stoppedat any angle, for example, for enabling stoppage of a lid provided to acenter console between a driver seat and a passenger seat, which areprovided in a forward portion of a vehicle, so as to be capable of beingopened and closed.

2. Description of the Related Art

For example, between a driver seat and a passenger seat located in aforward portion of a vehicle, there is provided a center console. Thecenter console in which an accommodation portion capable ofaccommodating small objects or the like is provided is widely used, anda lid is provided to the accommodation portion so as to be capable ofbeing opened and closed. For the center console mentioned above, JP2001-97128 A discloses a structure in which a lid (cover body) isconnected to a console box main body through an intermediation of ahinge so as to be capable of being opened and closed. Further, for thelid, for example, also-called ‘free stop hinge’ may be adopted, thehinge having a structure with which the lid can be opened by beinglifted by a hand, and even when the hand is moved off from the lid afteropening the lid, the lid is not closed and can be stopped at anarbitrary opening angle.

A free stop hinge 100 of the related art, illustrated in FIGS. 11 and12, includes a hinge base 110 and a pair of hinge arms 120 and 120 whichare rotatably connected to both sides of the hinge base 110 through anintermediation of support shafts 130, respectively. On the both sides ofthe hinge base 110, bearing plates 111 and 111 each having a first shafthole 111 a are provided upright, respectively. Base end portion of eachof the hinge arms 120 and 120 is provided with a bearing plate 121having a third shaft hole 121 a.

On an outer side of the bearing plate 111 of the hinge base 110, thebearing plate 121 of the hinge arm 120 is provided through anintermediation of a resin washer 140. On an inner side of the samebearing plate 111 of the hinge base 110, another resin washer 140 isprovided. On an outer side of the bearing plate 121 of the hinge arm120, still another resin washer 140, a metal washer 145, and a platespring 150 are provided.

In this state, a distal end portion of the support shaft 130 is allowedto pass through the first shaft hole 111 a, the third shaft hole 121 a,and insertion holes formed in the washers, and clamping fixation isperformed by a nut 155, thereby allowing the pair of hinge arms 120 and120 to be rotatably connected to the both sides of the hinge base 110,respectively.

As shown in FIG. 12, by a pressing force of the plate spring 150 whichis flattened by being clamped by the nut 155, the bearing plate 121 ofthe hinge arm 120 is pressed through the intermediation of the metalwasher 145 and the resin washer 140 on the outer side. As a result, whena lid fixed to the hinge arm 120 rotates, by the resin washer 140between the bearing plates 111 and 121, rotation resistance acts on thebearing plates 111 and 121 due to a frictional force. Accordingly, evenwhen the lid tends to rotate in a closing direction by its own weight orthe like, the lid is stopped, so the lid can be retained at an arbitraryopening angle.

In the free stop hinge of the related art, through adjustment of aclamping position of the nut 155, the pressing force of the plate spring150 is set. In this case, there is a problem in that the plate spring150 has an extremely high spring constant. Therefore, due to fluctuationin the clamping position of the nut 155, the pressing force variesgreatly, where a setting to a desired pressing force is difficult, andan adjustment operation is also not easy. For example, in a case wherethe nut 155 is firmly clamped, the pressing force of the plate spring150 becomes larger, so free stopping can be achieved with reliability,but at the same time, there arises a problem in that a larger force isneeded when lifting the lid. On the other hand, in a case where the nut155 is loosely clamped, the lid can be lifted easily, but at the sametime, there arises a problem in that the frictional force is weakened,so the free stopping is not achieved with reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a freestop hinge which can be stopped at any angle, the hinge having astructure with which variation in pressing force by pressing means canbe set small and adjustment of the pressing force is easy.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to a firstaspect of the present invention, there is provided a free stop hinge forconnecting an opening and closing member to a main body portion so thatthe opening and closing member can be opened and closed with respect tothe main body portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle,the free stop hinge including: a hinge base to be fixed to either one ofthe main body portion or the opening and closing member, the hinge basebeing provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole; a hinge arm tobe fixed to the other one of the main body portion or the opening andclosing member, the hinge arm being provided with a bearing plate havinga shaft hole; a support shaft inserted through said both shaft holes, toconnect the hinge base and the hinge arm to each other, to therebysupport the hinge arm in a rotatable manner with respect to the hingebase; a friction plate having shaft hole disposed between the bearingplate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm; and acompression coil spring, in which the compression coil spring isdisposed to press either one of the bearing plates of the hinge base orthe hinge arm such that said bearing plate pressed by the compressioncoil spring is biased to the other one of the bearing plates of thehinge base or the hinge arm through an intermediation of the frictionplate.

In the above-mentioned aspect, between the bearing plates of the hingebase and the hinge arm, respectively, there is disposed the frictionplate. There is also provided the compression coil spring for pressingone of the bearing plates to the other of the bearing plates through theintermediation of the friction plate. Accordingly, each of the bearingplates receives rotation resistance by the friction plate, therebymaking it possible to retain the opening and closing member at anarbitrary opening angle. Further, by using the compression coil springas pressing means, and by setting the number of windings, a springconstant, or the like of the compression coil spring, a pressing forcecan be set accurately and uniformly. Accordingly, it becomes easier toadjust a frictional force at a time of rotation within a range in whichfree stopping is possible and a large force is not required for therotation, thereby making it possible to enhance workability.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda free stop hinge according to the first aspect of the present inventionfurther including a resin cover having a shaft hole through which thesupport shaft is inserted, in which: the resin cover is provided betweenthe compression coil spring and either one of the bearing plates of thehinge base or the hinge arm which is pressed by the compression coilspring; and the resin cover is prevented from rotating with respect toeither one of the hinge base or the hinge arm which has the other one ofthe bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm.

In the above-mentioned aspect, the compression coil spring is disposedso as to press one of the pair of bearing plates to the other thereof,in which one end of the compression coil spring abuts on the one of thepair of bearing plates and the other end thereof abuts on the othermember which rotates with respect to said bearing plate. Accordingly,when said bearing plate rotates with respect to the other member, thecompression coil spring is normally twisted at both ends thereof.However, in this embodiment of the present invention, even when the oneof the pair of bearing plates with respect to the other member, theresin cover is prevented from rotating with respect to the hinge base orthe hinge arm including the other of the pair of bearing plates.Therefore, relative rotation does not occur between the resin cover andthe compression coil spring, so it is possible to prevent thecompression coil spring from being twisted. As a result, an elastic biasforce of the compression coil spring can act on the bearing plate in astable manner.

According to third and fourth aspects of the present invention, there isprovided a free stop hinge in which, in the first and second aspects ofthe present invention, respectively: the support shaft has a shaftportion inserted through the shaft holes and a receiving seat of aflange shape formed on a base end of the shaft portion; and thecompression coil spring is disposed to an outer periphery of the supportshaft, a base end portion of the compression coil spring abutting on thereceiving seat and a distal end portion of the compression coil springabutting on the bearing plates directly or through the resin cover.

In the above-mentioned aspects, the one end portion of the compressioncoil spring is supported by the receiving seat of the support shaft. Inthis state, the shaft portion is inserted through an inside of an innerperiphery of the compression coil spring, thereby making it possible tostably support the compression coil spring. Further, by the receivingseat and the shaft portion, the compression coil spring is temporarilyretained on the outer periphery of the support shaft in advance, soassembly workability can be enhanced.

According to fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, there isprovided a free stop hinge in which, in the third and fourth aspects ofthe present invention, respectively: the hinge base is provided with areceiving plate, said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to thebearing plate at a predetermined interval; and the support shaft has oneend thereof inserted and locked in a first shaft hole formed in thebearing plate of the hinge base and the other end thereof inserted andlocked in a second shaft hole formed in the receiving plate.

In the above-mentioned aspects, both end portions of the support shaftare supported by the bearing plate and the receiving plate of the hingebase, respectively. Accordingly, the support shaft is attached in astable manner, and backlash and tilt of the hinge arm supported throughthe support shaft are suppressed, so rotation is performed in a stablemanner.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a free stop hinge according to the second aspect of the presentinvention further including a torsion coil spring, in which: the resincover has a tube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft; thecompression coil spring is disposed on an inner periphery of the tubeportion; the torsion coil spring disposed on an outer periphery of thetube portion; and the torsion coil spring biases the hinge base and thehinge arm so that the hinge arm rotates with respect to the hinge basein a direction of opening the opening and closing member.

In the above-mentioned aspect, even in a case where the opening andclosing member has a predetermined weight and the opening and closingmember cannot be supported by only the frictional force by the frictionplate, the weight of the opening and closing member is supported by thefrictional force in conjunction with a bias force of the torsion coilspring, thereby making it possible to realize free stopping. Further,the compression coil spring and the torsion coil spring are arranged soas to be coaxial with each other, thereby making it possible to decreasea width of the hinge, thereby to down size the hinge. And also the tubeportion can prevent occurrence of abnormal noise, friction, or the likedue to interference between the compression coil spring and the torsioncoil spring.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a free stop hinge in which, in the seventh aspect of thepresent invention: the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate,said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate at apredetermined interval; and the support shaft has one end thereofinserted and locked in a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate ofthe hinge base and the other end thereof inserted and locked in a secondshaft hole formed in the receiving plate; the tube portion of the resincover has a distal end formed with one or more of protruding pieces eachaxially extending from an end surface thereof; the second shaft hole hasa periphery provided with a notch portion in which the protruding piecefits; and the compression coil spring has an outer diameter which issmaller than an inner diameter of the second shaft hole.

In the above-mentioned aspect, the protruding piece formed on the distalend of the tube portion of the resin cover fits in the notch portionformed in the periphery of the second shaft hole formed in the receivingplate, thereby preventing the resin cover from rotating with respect tothe hinge base. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a spring loadfrom being unstable, which is caused by rotation of the tube portion dueto twisting the torsion coil spring provided to the outer periphery ofthe tube portion. Further, since the protruding piece formed on thedistal end of the tube portion of the resin cover fits in the notchportion formed in the periphery of the second shaft hole, the endportion of the torsion coil spring provided to the outer periphery ofthe tube portion can be prevented from falling in a space between theouter periphery of the tube portion and the second shaft hole, therebymaking it possible to prevent occurrence of interference between thecompression coil spring and the torsion coil spring, abnormal noise, orfriction. Further, when fitting the protruding piece in the notchportion of the second shaft hole, a center of the second shaft hole anda center of the tube portion can be allowed to substantially match witheach other, thereby facilitating an operation of inserting thecompression coil spring through the second shaft hole into the tubeportion of the resin cover, in a state where compression coil spring isprovided to the outer periphery of the support shaft.

According to ninth and tenth aspects of the present invention, there isprovided a free stop hinge, in which, in the seventh and eighth aspectsof the present invention, respectively: the resin cover has an outertube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft and has, on aninner side of the outer tube portion, an inner tube portion extendingcoaxially with the support shaft as well; the compression coil spring isdisposed between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion; andthe torsion coil spring is disposed on an outer periphery of the outertube portion.

In the above-mentioned aspects, since the compression coil spring isdisposed between the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion, anaxial center of the compression coil spring and an axial center of thesupport shaft can coincide with each other more easily, thereby makingit possible to impart a more stable load to the resin cover. Further,when inserting the compression coil spring from an end portion of theouter tube portion, with the inner tube portion being elongated, thecompression coil spring can be more easily inserted by using the innertube portion as a guide.

According to eleventh and twelfth aspects of the present invention,there is provided a free stop hinge in which, in the first and secondaspects of the present invention, respectively: the hinge base is fixedto the main body portion; the hinge arm is fixed to the opening andclosing member; the hinge base includes a pair of bearing platesdisposed on both sides of the hinge base and a pair of receiving platesdisposed on an inner side from said bearing plates, each of thereceiving plates being disposed at a predetermined interval from saidbearing plate; the support shaft has one end thereof inserted and lockedin a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate of the hinge base andthe other end thereof inserted and locked in a second shaft hole formedin the receiving plate; and the hinge arm includes a pair of the hingearms, so that each of the hinge arms has the bearing plate disposed tobe brought into press contact with the inner side of the bearing plateof the hinge base through an intermediation of the friction plate.

In the above-mentioned aspects, the pair of hinge arms is providedinwardly from the bearing plates provided to both sides of the hingebase and the bearing plates of hinge arms are arranged so as to bebrought into press contact with the bearing plates of the hinge base,respectively through the intermediation of the friction plate.Accordingly, the pair of hinge arms is arranged at a maximum intervalonto the hinge base, thereby making it possible to stably retain theopening and closing member supported by those hinge arms.

According to thirteenth and fourteenth aspects of the present invention,there is provided a free stop hinge in which, in the first and secondaspects of the present invention, respectively: the hinge base isprovided with a receiving plate, said receiving plate being disposedoppositely to the bearing plate of the hinge base at a predeterminedinterval; and the compression coil spring is mounted while beingcompressed between the bearing plate and the receiving plate.

In the above-mentioned aspects, both end portions of the compressioncoil spring are supported by the bearing plate and the receiving plateprovided to the hinge base, respectively. Accordingly, the compressioncoil spring can be retained in a stable manner. Further, a set length ofthe compression coil spring is determined depending upon accuracy ofprocessing the spring, so a load thereof can be stabilized. Note that,the receiving plate can be provided to the hinge arm, but there is sucha disadvantage that a rotation locus expands, thereby making space forhinge installation too large.

According to fifteenth and sixteenth aspects of the present invention,there is provided a free stop hinge in which, in the ninth and tenthaspects of the present invention, respectively: the inner tube portionextends to have a length shorter than a length of the outer tubeportion; and the support shaft is inserted through an inside of theinner tube portion and provides a portion extruding from the inner tubeportion, said portion extruding from the inner tube portion having atapered shape whose diameter gradually increases.

In the above-mentioned aspects, the one end of the support shaft isinserted into the inner tube portion and the other end thereof extrudesfrom the inner tube portion and is gradually increased in diameter.Accordingly, the one end of the compression coil spring is supported bythe outer periphery of the inner tube portion and the other end thereofis supported by the outer periphery of a large diameter portion of thesupport shaft. As a result, the compression coil spring can be supportedwithout tilt. Further, when mounting the compression coil spring to theouter periphery of the support shaft at a time of assembly, positioningof the compression coil spring is performed while moving the compressioncoil spring along the large diameter portion of the support shaft, so anassembly operation is facilitated.

With the free stop hinge according to the present invention, either oneof the bearing plate of the hinge base or of the hinge arm is pressed bythe compression coil spring to the other of the bearing plate throughthe intermediation of the friction plate. Accordingly, both bearingplates receive resistance against rotation from each other through theintermediation of the friction plate, thereby making it possible toretain the opening and closing member at an arbitrary opening angle.Further, by selecting the number of windings, a spring constant, or thelike, the pressing force of the compression coil spring can be setaccurately and uniformly. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust thefrictional force at the time of rotation within a range in which thefree stopping is possible and a large force is not required for therotation, thereby enhancing the workability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a free stop hingeaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the free stop hinge;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the free stop hinge;

FIG. 4 is a right-side view of the free stop hinge;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a friction plate as a component of thefree stop hinge;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a resin cover as a component of the freestop hinge;

FIG. 7 is a main portion sectional view of the free stop hinge;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an operation of the free stophinge;

FIG. 9 is a main portion sectional view showing a free stop hingeaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a main portion sectional view showing a free stop hingeaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a related art free stophinge; and

FIG. 12 is a main portion sectional view of the related art free stophinge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of a freestop hinge which can be stopped at any angle according to the presentinvention will be described.

A free stop hinge 10 (hereinafter, referred to as “hinge 10”) is usedfor opening and closing a lid 7 provided to an accommodation portion 3formed in a center console 1 provided between a driver seat and apassenger seat located in a forward portion of a vehicle as shown inFIG. 8, for example, and particularly, for free stopping by which a lid7 can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 8, the hinge 10 includes a hinge base 20fixed to a mounting wall 5 of the accommodation portion 3 formed insidethe center console 1, and a pair of hinge arms 40 and 40 each having abase end portion rotatably connected to each of both sides of the hingebase 20 through an intermediation of a support shaft 50 and a distal endportion fixed to the each of both sides on a back side of the lid 7. Asshown in FIG. 8, the hinge base 20 is provided to a back surface side ofthe mounting wall 5 of the accommodation portion 3, and the lid 7 fixedthrough the intermediation of the hinge arms 40 is provided in aposition above an opening portion of the accommodation portion 3,thereby making it possible to open and close the accommodation portion3. In this embodiment, the lid 7 serves as an opening and closing memberaccording to the present invention and the accommodation portion 3serves as a main body portion according to the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 2 as well, the hinge base 20 is made of a metalplate material, includes a belt-like base portion plate 21 and a pair ofside portion plates 25 and 25 extending from both sides of the baseportion plate 21 in a right angle direction and in parallel to eachother, and has a substantially H shape when viewed from front (refer toFIG. 2). Further, at predetermined portions of the plates, a pluralityof mounting holes 23 are formed, thereby enabling mounting to themounting wall 5 of the accommodation portion 3.

Further, on an outer side edge on a lower portion of each of the sideportion plates 25, there are provided a plurality of fixing plates 27upright toward an opposite side of a mounting surface with respect tothe mounting wall 5 of the accommodation portion 3. The fixing plates 27become portions to be fixed to a bracket (not shown) provided on theback surface side of the mounting wall 5. Further, in a position closerto a bottom portion with respect to a middle portion in a longitudinaldirection of each of the side portion plates 25, a positioning piece 28is formed by being folded toward a mounting surface side with respect tothe mounting wall 5 through an intermediation of a square U-shaped slit28 a. The positioning pieces 28 are inserted into positioning holes (notshown) of the mounting wall 5, thereby positioning the hinge base 20.

Further, at an upper end portion of each of the side portion plates 25,a support plate 30 is folded toward the opposite side of the mountingsurface with respect to the mounting wall 5. The support plate 30extends to be longer than the outer side edge of the side portion plate25 to protrude outwardly and be folded downwardly at distal end portionthereof, thereby providing a bearing plate 31 having a first shaft hole31a formed in a center thereof, through which the support shaft 50 isinserted. In correspondence with the bearing plate 31, on an inner sideedge on an upper portion of each of the side portion plates 25, there isformed a receiving plate 33 by being bent toward the opposite side ofthe mounting surface of the mounting wall 5 so that the receiving plate33 is in a position opposed to the bearing plate 31 at a predetermineddistance. Between the receiving plate 33 and the bearing plate 31, thereis provided a resin cover 70 described later.

Further, in a central portion of the receiving plate 33, there is formeda second shaft hole 33 a having a shaft center matching with a shaftcenter of the first shaft hole 31 a. An inner diameter of the secondshaft hole 33 a is larger than an outer diameter of a compression coilspring 80 described later. Further, the second shaft hole 33 a is formedto have the inner diameter so as to fit with an outer diameter of areceiving seat 53 described later of the support shaft 50, to allowinsertion of the compression coil spring 80 therethrough from an outerside of the receiving plate 33, and to be capable of supporting thereceiving seat 53 of the support shaft 50. Further, a pair of notchportions 33 b and 33 b are formed in a peripheral portion of the secondshaft hole 33 a so as to pass therethrough and to be opposed to eachother. A pair of protruding pieces 79 and 79 described later of theresin cover 70 fit in the pair of notch portions 33 b and 33 b, therebyconstituting portions for preventing the resin cover 70 from rotatingwith respect to the hinge base 20. Note that the notch portions 33 b and33 b are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the supportplate 30. Further, in a portion on an upper end edge of the receivingplate 33, there is formed a groove portion 36 with which a leg portion87 extending from one end portion of a torsion coil spring 85 describedlater engages.

The hinge base 20 as described above is formed by being subjected tobending after punching a single metal plate in a predetermined shape. Inthis case, in a periphery of a punched portion, there is caused flashalong a punching direction. In this embodiment, the bearing plate 31 isformed by being bent such that the flash caused on an inner peripheraledge of the first shaft hole 31 a protrudes toward the receiving plate33 side opposed thereto.

On inner sides of the bearing plates 31 and 31 formed on right and leftsides of the hinge base 20 is provided with friction plates 60 and 60,respectively, which are made of a synthetic resin. Bearing plates 45 and45 described later of the pair of hinge arms 40 and 40 are arranged soas to sandwich the friction plates 60 and 60 with the bearing plates 31and 31, respectively. The friction plate 60, provided between thebearing plates 31 and 45, indirectly receives a bias force of thecompression coil spring 80 to thereby apply a frictional force to acontact surface with the bearing plate 31 as well as a contact surfacewith the bearing plate 45. The friction plate 60 has a substantiallydisk shape, and has a fourth shaft hole 61 provided in a center thereof,through which a support shaft 50 is inserted. With reference to FIG. 5as well, a flash receiving groove 63 having a circular shape of apredetermined depth is provided in one side surface of the frictionplate 60 so as to communicate with the fourth shaft hole 61. The flashreceiving groove 63 receives the flash caused on the inner peripheraledge of the first shaft hole 31 a described above to thereby preventlifting up of the friction plate 60 from the bearing plate 31, whichenables the one side surface of the friction plate 60 to be brought intointimate contact with the inner side surface of the bearing plate 31.Further, on an opposite side of the flash receiving groove 63 withrespect to the fourth shaft hole 61, there is formed a tapered surface65 having a diameter gradually becoming larger toward an end surface ofthe friction plate 60, thereby increasing insertability of the supportshaft 50.

Through the friction plates 60 and 60, on the inner sides of the pair ofbearing plates 31 and 31 of the hinge base 20, there are arranged thepair of hinge arms 40 and 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge arm 40 isformed of a metal plate like as the hinge base 20. In an upper endportion thereof, there is formed the bearing plate 45. The hinge arm 40includes an arm portion 41 extending from the bearing plate 45downwardly in a vertical direction and further extending obliquelyupwardly after curving from a lower end portion of an extended portion,thereby forming a substantially V shape when viewed from a side, and amounting portion 43 obtained by being bent inwardly at a distal endportion of the arm portion 41 and extending obliquely upwardly from anend of an inwardly bent portion. Further, in a center of the bearingplate 45, there is formed a third shaft hole 45 a which has an innerdiameter matching with an outer diameter of an insertion tube portion 77described later of the resin cover 70 and through which the supportshaft 50 is inserted through an intermediation of the insertion tubeportion 77.

Further, in the vicinity of the bearing plate 45 of the arm portion 41and in an outer side surface on an opposite side thereof with respect tothe mounting portion 43, there is formed a groove portion 47 engagingwith a leg portion 88 extending from another end portion of the torsioncoil spring 85. Further, in the vicinity of the bearing plate 45 of thesame arm portion 41 and on an inner side surface thereof on the mountingportion 43 side, there is formed a stopper portion 48 protrudingtherefrom. When the hinge arm 40 is opened to a maximum degree, thestopper portion 48 abuts on a side edge of the support plate 30 of thehinge base 20, thereby restricting an opening angle of the hinge arm 40with respect to the hinge base 20. Further, the mounting portion 43 isformed with a plurality of mounting holes 43 a. By the plurality of themounting holes 43 a, a distal end portion of the hinge arm 40 is fixedto a back surface of the lid 7.

The hinge arm 40 is provided on an inner side of the bearing plate 31 ofthe hinge base 20. Between the receiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20and the bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40, there is provided theresin cover 70 for supporting both the compression coil spring 80 andthe torsion coil spring 85.

With reference to FIG. 6 as well, as like the friction plate 60, theresin cover 70 is formed of a synthetic resin. The resin cover 70includes a base plate 71 of a circular shape having a fifth shaft hole71a formed in a center thereof, in which the support shaft 50 isinserted, an outer tube portion 73 extending from an outer periphery ofthe fifth shaft hole 71 a of the base plate 71 so as to be coaxial withthe fifth shaft hole 71 a, and an inner tube portion 75 extending froman inner peripheral edge of the fifth shaft hole 71 a of the base plate71 inside the outer tube portion 73 so as to be coaxial with the fifthshaft hole 71 a. When viewed in an axial direction, the resin cover hasa double-tube structure.

On an outer periphery of the outer tube portion 73, the torsion coilspring 85 is mounted. At the same time, the torsion coil spring 85 issupported by being abutted at an end surface thereof against a sidesurface of the base plate 71. On an outer periphery of the inner tubeportion 75, the compression coil spring 80 is mounted. At the same time,the compression coil spring 85 is supported by being abutted at an endsurface thereof against the side surface of the base plate 71. Further,as shown in FIG. 7, the inner tube portion 75 is formed to have a lengthsmaller than the outer tube portion 73. In the inner tube portion 75, aninsertion shaft portion 51 a described later which extends while havinga constant diameter of the shaft portion 51 of the support shaft 50 isinserted to be supported. Further, an outer periphery and an innerperiphery of a distal end portion of the inner tube portion 75, thereare formed an outer tapered surface 75 a and an inner tapered surface 75b, respectively. By the outer tapered surface 75 a, when the compressioncoil spring 80 is provided to the inner tube portion 75, the compressioncoil spring 80 is not caught on an inner periphery thereof, therebybeing easily mounted. By the inner tapered surface 75 b, the supportshaft 50 can easily be inserted into the inner tube portion 75. Further,the resin cover 70 has the double-tube structure including the outertube portion 73 and the inner tube portion 75, thereby allowing thecompression coil spring 80 and the torsion coil spring 85 to be arrangedso as to be coaxial with each other. Accordingly, the hinge 10 as awhole can be downsized and occurrence of abnormal noise, friction, orthe like due to interference between the compression coil spring and thetorsion coil spring can be prevented.

Further, from an outer peripheral edge of the fifth shaft hole 71 a ofthe base plate 71, the insertion tube portion 77 protrudes to beinserted into the first shaft hole 31 a of the hinge base 20 toward theopposite side of the inner tube portion 75. As a result, an axial centerof the resin cover 70 can match with the axial center of each of theshaft holes. Note that, on an outer periphery of a distal end portion ofthe insertion tube portion 77 is formed with a tapered surface 77 ahaving a diameter gradually decreasing toward the distal end (see FIG.7), thereby ensuring insertability of the insertion tube portion 77 intothe third shaft hole 45 a. Further, in one portion on an outer peripheryof the base plate 71, an extending piece 78 protrudes radially outwardlyto have a predetermined width. From a distal end portion of theextending piece 78, an abutting portion 78 a extends in the samedirection as an extending direction of the outer tube portion 73. Theabutting portion 78 a abuts on the inner side surface of the supportplate 30 of the hinge base 20, thereby stopping rotation of the resincover 70 with respect to the hinge base 20.

Further, from an end surface of a distal end portion of the outer tubeportion 73, a pair of protruding pieces 79 and 79 protrude. Theprotruding pieces 79 and 79 are formed obliquely with respect to theabutting portion 78 a. When the abutting portion 78 a is allowed to abutagainst the support plate 30 to be supported, the protruding pieces 79and 79 fit to the notch portions 33 b and 33 b of the receiving plate 33of the hinge base 20. The protruding pieces 79 and 79 are engaged withthe notch portions 33 b and 33 b, thereby to stop the rotation of theresin cover 70 with respect to the hinge base 20 like as the abutmentportion 78 a functions. Further, each of the protruding pieces 79 isformed to have such a length that, when the base plate 71 is pressed tothe bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40 by the compression coil spring80, as shown in FIG. 7, a state where the protruding piece 79 is notremoved from the notch portion 33 b and the protruding piece 79 fitstherein can be maintained. Further, the outer peripheral edge of each ofthe protruding portions 79 is formed with a tapered surface 79 a,thereby increasing insertability when the protruding piece is engagedwith the notch portion 33 b.

Note that, of the above-mentioned two springs, the compression coilspring 80 has one end portion supported by the base plate 71 of theresin cover 70 and another end portion supported by the receiving seat53 described later of the support shaft 50. The compression coil spring80 is provided between the receiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20 andthe bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40 while being compressed. Thecompression coil spring 80 functions as pressing means for pressing thebearing plate 45 on the hinge arm 40 side against the bearing plate 31of the hinge base 20 through the intermediation of the friction plate60. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the torsion coil spring 85 includes acoil winding portion 86 and the leg portions 87 and 88 extending in Lshapes from both end portions of the coil winding portion 86. The oneleg portion 87 engages with the groove portion 36 of the hinge base 20and the other leg portion 88 engages with the groove portion 47 of thehinge arm 40, thereby biasing the hinge arm 40 to rotate in an openingdirection with respect to the hinge base 20. Even in a case where thelid 7 is so heavy that the lid 7 cannot be supported by only thefrictional force generated by the friction plate 60, by the torsion coilspring 85, it is possible to achieve the free stopping by supporting aweight of the lid 7 by the frictional force in conjunction with a biasforce of the torsion coil spring 85.

In the shaft holes formed in the above-mentioned members, the supportshaft 50 is inserted to support. The support shaft 50 made of metalincludes the shaft portion 51 to be inserted into the shaft holes andthe receiving seat 53 having a flange shape connected to a base end ofthe shaft portion 51 for supporting the one end portion of thecompression coil spring 80. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, the shaftportion 51 includes the insertion shaft portion 51 a having an outerdiameter matching with the inner diameter of each of the shaft holes andextending while having a constant diameter to be inserted in the shaftholes. The shaft portion 51 also includes a diameter-expanding portion51 b of a tapered shape which has a diameter gradually becoming largerfrom the base end portion of the insertion shaft portion 51 a toward thereceiving seat 53, and which extends out of the inner tube portion 75 ofthe resin cover 70 when the support shaft 50 is inserted in the shaftholes, to thereby support the inner periphery of the compression coilspring 80. Further, the receiving seat 53 is formed to have an outerdiameter matching with an inner diameter of the second shaft hole 33 aof the receiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20. Further, the receivingseat 53 increases its diameter radially outwardly from a peripheral edgeof an end portion thereof, thereby forming an engagement rib 53 a (seeFIG. 7) to engage with an outer side peripheral edge of the second shafthole 33 a.

As shown in FIG. 7, in a state where the resin cover 70, to which thecompression coil spring 80 and the torsion coil spring 85 are mounted,is set between the bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40 and thereceiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20, the support shaft 50 isinserted from an outer side. The engagement rib 53 a of the receivingseat 53 of the support shaft 50 is engaged with the outer sideperipheral edge of the second shaft hole 33 a of the receiving plate 33.At the same time, the shaft portion 51 is inserted through the fifthshaft hole 71 a of the resin cover 70, the third shaft hole 45 a of thehinge arm 40, the fourth shaft hole 61 of the friction plate 60, and thefirst shaft hole 31 a of the hinge base 20 to protrude to an outer sideof the bearing plate 31. A distal end portion of the shaft portion 51protruding therefrom is pressed by being swaged etc., thereby forming acatch portion 52 engaging with the outer side peripheral edge of thefirst shaft hole 31 a. Accordingly, the support shaft 50 is preventedfrom being removed and is fixed to the shaft holes. As a result, thecompression coil spring 80, supported at the both end portions thereofby the receiving seat 53 of the support shaft 50 and the base plate 71of the resin cover 70, is retained in a compressed state. Accordingly,the bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40 is pressed through theintermediation of the base plate 71. Further, through the intermediationof the friction plate 60, the bearing plate 31 of the hinge base 20 ispressed, and the hinge arm 40 is rotatably connected to the hinge base20.

Next, a description will be made of a method of assembling the hinge 10according to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure.

First, the outer tube portion 73 of the resin cover 70 is inserted inthe coil winding portion 86, so the torsion coil spring 85 is providedto the outer periphery of the outer tube portion 73. Between the bearingplate 31 and the receiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20, the resincover 70 is provided. The protruding pieces 79 and 79 on the distal endof the outer tube portion 73 are aligned with the notch portions 33 band 33 b formed in the receiving plate 33. After that, the resin cover70 is pushed with respect to the receiving plate 33. Each of theprotruding pieces 79 is fitted into the notch portion 33 b, so thedistal end portion thereof penetrates the receiving plate 33 through tothe outer side. Therefore, the distal end portion of the outer tubeportion 73 is locked by being abutted on the inner side peripheral edgeof the second shaft hole 33 a, while the abutting portion 78 a on theouter periphery of the base plate 71 abuts on the inner side surface ofthe support plate 30, thereby allowing the resin cover 70 to betemporarily retained by the hinge base 20.

In the state described above, between the base plate 71 of the resincover 70 and the bearing plate 31 of the hinge base 20, a relativelylarge space is formed. In this space, the bearing plate 45 of the hingearm 40 is provided in a state where the mounting portion 43 is directedinwardly, and the insertion tube portion 77 of the resin cover 70 whichis temporarily assembled to the hinge base 20 is inserted into the thirdshaft hole 45 a. After that, between the bearing plate 31 of the hingebase 20 and the bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40, the friction plate60 is provided in a state where the flash receiving groove 63 side isdirected to the bearing plate 31 side. In this state, the resin cover 70and the hinge arm 40 are moved to the bearing plate 31 side of the hingebase 20 to allow the friction plate 60 to be sandwiched between thebearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40 and the bearing plate 31 of thehinge base 20, and the shaft holes are aligned with each other.

Note that, as described above, in a case where the resin cover 70 ismoved to the bearing plate 31 side, as shown in FIG. 7, a space isformed between the outer tube portion 73 and the receiving plate 33. Inthis case, the protruding piece 79 is fitted in the notch portion 33 b,so it is possible to prevent the end portion of the torsion coil spring85 from falling off in the space. As a result, the interference betweenthe compression coil spring 80 and the torsion coil spring 85 as well asoccurrence of abnormal noise or friction can be prevented.

Before the support shaft 50 is inserted into the shaft holes, thecompression coil spring 80 is provided to the outer periphery of thesupport shaft 50. That is, the shaft portion 51 of the support shaft 50is inserted in the inner periphery of the compression coil spring 80,and the one end portion of the shaft portion 51 is abutted on thereceiving seat 53 to be supported, thereby making it possible to mountthe compression coil spring 80 to the outer periphery of the supportshaft 50. In this manner, by the receiving seat 53 and the shaft portion51, the compression coil spring 80 can be temporarily retained on theouter periphery of the support shaft 50 in advance. As a result, anassembly workability can be enhanced and the compression coil spring 80can be supported in a stable manner. Further, in this case, the shaftportion 51 of the support shaft 50 is formed with the diameter-expandingportion 51 b having the diameter gradually becoming larger toward thereceiving seat 53 side. Accordingly, the compression coil spring 80 ismoved along the diameter-expanding portion 51 b to be positioned andmounted to the outer periphery of the support shaft 50, therebyfacilitating an assembling operation.

Next, the support shaft 50 on which the compression coil spring 80 ismounted is inserted from its distal end portion into the second shafthole 33 a from the outer side of the receiving plate 33 of the hingebase 20. In the above-mentioned step, the protruding pieces 79 arefitted into the notch portion 33 b in the peripheral edge of the secondshaft hole 33 a. As a result, the center of the second shaft hole 33 aand the center of the outer tube portion 73 are substantially matchedwith each other. Accordingly, even the support shaft 50 on which thecompression coil spring 80 is mounted can be easily inserted into theouter tube portion 73. The support shaft 50 inserted into the secondshaft hole 33 a is inserted into the outer tube portion 73 and is theninserted into the inner tube portion 75.

At the same time, the compression coil spring 80 is also pushed into theouter tube portion 73. However, at this time, the inner tube portion 75extends from the base plate 71, so the compression coil spring 80 isguided by the inner tube portion 75, thereby making it possible tosmoothly mount the compression coil spring 80 to the outer periphery ofthe inner tube portion 75.

Further, the insertion shaft portion 51 a of the support shaft 50inserted into the inner tube portion 75 is inserted into the insertiontube portion 77 through the fifth shaft hole 71 a of the base plate 71and is further inserted through the fourth shaft hole 61 of the frictionplate 60 and the first shaft hole 31 a of the bearing plate 31 of thehinge base 20 to allow the distal end portion thereof to protrudethrough to the outer side of the bearing plate 31. At the same time, thereceiving seat 53 of the support shaft 50 is inserted in the secondshaft hole 33 a of the receiving plate 33 and the engagement rib 53 a isengaged with the outer side peripheral edge of the second shaft hole 33a. In this state, the distal end portion of the support shaft 50protruding through to the outer side of the bearing plate 31 is swagedto form the catch portion 52. As a result, the catch portion 52 engageswith the outer side peripheral edge of the first shaft hole 31 a,thereby preventing the support shaft 50 from being removed and fixingthe support shaft 50 in position. By the support shaft 50, the hinge arm40 is rotatably connected to the hinge base 20.

Further, in the above-mentioned state, the both end portions of thecompression coil spring 80 are supported by both the receiving seat 53of the support shaft 50 and the base plate 71 of the resin cover 70, sothe compression coil spring 80 is retained in the compressed state. As aresult, through the intermediation of the base plate 71 of the resincover 70, the bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40 is pressed, andthrough the intermediation of the friction plate 60, the bearing plate31 of the hinge base 20 is pressed. Further, the one arm portion 87 ofthe torsion coil spring 85 is engaged with the groove portion 36 of thehinge base 20 and the other arm portion 88 is engaged with the grooveportion 47 of the hinge arm 40, thereby biasing the hinge arm 40 torotate with respect to the base 20 in a direction of opening the lid 7.

Next, a description will be made on a method of using the hinge 10according to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure.

The hinge 10 can be provided to the accommodation portion 3 of thecenter console 1 by fixing the hinge base 20 to the back surface side ofthe mounting wall 5 as shown in FIG. 8. Further, the mounting portions43 of the pair of hinge arms 40 and 40 are fixed to the both sideportions in the vicinity of the both ends in a width direction of thelid 7 on a back side thereof. As a result, the pair of hinge arms 40 and40 are arranged with respect to the hinge base 20 at a large interval,so the lid 7 can be retained in a stable manner.

The opening portion of the accommodation portion 3 can be opened andclosed by rotating the lid 7 upwardly and downwardly as shown in FIG. 8by retaining the distal end portion of the lid 7. In this case, by thecompression coil spring 80, through the intermediation of the base plate71 of the resin cover 70, the bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40 ispressed, and through the intermediation of the frictional plate 60, thebearing plate 31 of the hinge base 20 is pressed. Accordingly, due tothe upward and downward rotation of the lid 7, both bearing plates 31and 45 receive resistance against rotation from each other through theintermediation of the friction plate 60, thereby making it possible toretain the lid 7 at an arbitrary opening angle.

Further, in the present invention, the compression coil spring 80 isused as the pressing means, so by setting the number of windings, aspring constant, or the like of the compression coil spring 80, thepressing force can be set accurately and uniformly. Further, it becomeseasier to adjust the frictional force at the time of rotation of the lid7 within a range in which the free stopping is possible and a largeforce is not required for the rotation. Therefore, unlike the hinge 100of the related art shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, there is no need to doadjustment one after another, for example by the plate spring 150 of thehinge 100, thereby making it possible to enhance the workability.

Further, even in a case where the hinge 40 is rotated with respect tothe hinge base 20 by opening and closing the lid 7, in this embodiment,the abutting portion 78 a of the resin cover 70 abuts on the inner sidesurface of the support plate 30 of the hinge base 20 and the pair ofprotruding pieces 79 and 79 are fitted into the notch portions 33 b and33 b provided to the receiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20.Accordingly, rotation of the resin cover 70 is stopped at both endsthereof with respect to the hinge base 20. As a result, relativerotation does not occur between the resin cover 70 and the compressioncoil spring 80, so it is possible to prevent the compression coil spring80 from being twisted. Accordingly, an elastic bias force of thecompression coil spring 80 can act on the bearing plate 45 of the hingearm 40 through the intermediation of the base plate 71 of the resincover 70 in a stable manner.

Further, in this embodiment, the distal end portion of the support shaft50 is supported by the first shaft hole 31 a of the bearing plate 31 andthe base end portion thereof is supported by the second shaft hole 33 aof the receiving plate 33. Accordingly, the support shaft 50 can beprovided to the hinge base 20 in a stable manner. Further, backlash andtilt of the hinge arm 40 which is supported through the intermediationof the support shaft 50 is suppressed, so the rotation operation thereofis performed in a stable manner.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a hinge according to the presentinvention. Note that, portions substantially the same as those of theabove embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols anddescriptions of those are omitted.

A hinge 10 a of this embodiment differs, compared to the hinge 10 of theabove embodiment, in that the compression coil spring 80 is notsupported by the support shaft. That is, the hinge base 20 of the hinge10 a is formed with the bearing plate 31 having the first shaft hole 31a in which the support shaft 50 a is inserted and is provided with thereceiving plate 33 in a position opposed to the bearing plate 31 at apredetermined distance. The one end portion of the compression coilspring 80 is supported by the inner side surface of the receiving plate33. Note that, there is not provided the second shaft hole 33 a forallowing insertion therethrough of the support shaft, which is formed inthe receiving plate 33 of the hinge 10 of the above embodiment. Further,the resin cover 70 a is not formed with the inner tube portion 75. Onthe inner side surface of the base plate 71 of the resin cover 70 a, theother end portion of the compression coil spring 80 is supported.

In a state where the torsion coil spring 85 is mounted on the outerperiphery of the outer tube portion 73 of the resin cover 70 a and thecompression coil spring 80 is disposed on the inside of the outer tubeportion 73, the insertion tube portion 77 is inserted into the thirdshaft hole 45 a of the bearing plate 45 of the hinge arm 40 and thesupport shaft 50 a is inserted into the fifth shaft hole 71 a from theinner side of the base plate 71 and is allowed to pass through thefourth shaft hole 61 of the friction plate 60 and the first shaft hole31 a of the bearing plate 31 of the hinge base 20 to protrude through tothe outer side of the bearing plate 31. A C-ring 90 is provided to thedistal end portion of the support shaft 50a. As a result, by the C-ring90 and the receiving seat 53 of the support shaft 50 a, the supportshaft 50 a is fixed to the shaft holes so as not to be removed and thehinge arm 40 is rotatably connected to the hinge base 20.

Further, in this state, the one end portion of the compression coilspring 80 is supported by the inner side surface of the receiving plate33 of the hinge base 20 and the other end portion thereof is supportedby the inner side surface of the base plate 71 of the resin cover 70 a.As a result, the compression coil spring 80 is disposed while beingcompressed between the bearing plate 31 and the receiving plate 33 ofthe hinge base 20. The compression coil spring 80 presses the bearingplate 45 of the hinge arm 40 toward the friction plate 60 through theintermediation of the base plate 71 of the resin cover 70 a, therebysandwiching the friction plate 60 between the bearing plate 31 and thebearing plate 45. Accordingly, an appropriate frictional force isimparted to the hinge arm 40 against the rotation thereof, therebyrealizing the free stopping.

Further, in this embodiment, the both end portions of the compressioncoil spring 80 is supported between the bearing plate 31 and thereceiving plate 33 provided to the hinge base 20, so the compressioncoil spring 80 can be retained in a stable manner. Further, a set lengthof the compression coil spring 80 is determined depending upon accuracyof processing of the spring, so a load can be stabilized.

FIG. 10 shows still another embodiment of a hinge according to thepresent invention. Note that, portions substantially the same as thoseof the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference symbols anddescriptions of those are omitted.

A hinge 10 b of this embodiment differs, compared to the hinge 10 ashown in FIG. 9, in shape of the resin cover. That is, a resin cover 70b of this embodiment is not provided with the outer tube portion 73extending therefrom. Accordingly, the torsion coil spring 85 is also notprovided to the resin cover 70 b. Note that, in the same manner as thatof the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the one end portion of thecompression coil spring 80 is supported by the inner side surface of thereceiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20 and the other end portionthereof is supported by the inner side surface of the base plate 71 ofthe resin cover 70 b. In this state, the compression coil spring 80 isdisposed while being compressed between the bearing plate 31 and thereceiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20.

In this embodiment, only by the frictional force between the frictionplate 60 and the bearing plate 45, the hinge arm 40 can be rotated in afree-stop manner. In this embodiment as well, the compression coilspring 80 is disposed while being compressed between the bearing plate31 and the receiving plate 33 of the hinge base 20, thereby enablingretention of the compression coil spring 80 in a stable manner. Further,there are such advantages that the free stop hinge of this embodimentcan be suitably applied to the lid 7 which is relatively light, has asimple structure, and is easily assembled.

1. A free stop hinge which can be stopped at any angle for connecting anopening and closing member to a main body portion so that the openingand closing member can be opened and closed with respect to the mainbody portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, the freestop hinge comprising: a hinge base to be fixed to either one of themain body portion or the opening and closing member, the hinge basebeing provided with a bearing plate having a shaft hole; a hinge arm tobe fixed to the other one of the main body portion or the opening andclosing member, the hinge arm being provided with a bearing plate havinga shaft hole; a support shaft inserted through said both shaft holes toconnect the hinge base and the hinge arm to each other, to therebysupport the hinge arm in a rotatable manner with respect to the hingebase; a friction plate having a shaft hole disposed between the bearingplate of the hinge base and the bearing plate of the hinge arm; and acompression coil spring, wherein the compression coil spring is disposedto press either one of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hingearm such that said bearing plate pressed by the compression coil springis biased to the other one of bearing plates of the hinge base or thehinge arm through an intermediation of the friction plate.
 2. A freestop hinge according to claim 1, further comprising a resin cover havinga shaft hole through which the support shaft is inserted, wherein: theresin cover is provided between the compression coil spring and eitherone of the bearing plates of the hinge base or the hinge arm which ispressed by the compression coil spring; and the resin cover is preventedfrom rotating with respect to either one of the hinge base or the hingearm which has the other one of the bearing plates of the hinge base orthe hinge arm.
 3. A free stop hinge according to claim 1, wherein: thesupport shaft has a shaft portion inserted through the shaft holes and areceiving seat of a flange shape formed on a base end of the shaftportion; and the compression coil spring is disposed to an outerperiphery of the support shaft, a base end portion of the compressioncoil spring abutting on the receiving seat and a distal end portion ofthe compression coil spring abutting on the bearing plate directly orthrough the resin cover.
 4. A free stop hinge according to claim 2,wherein: the support shaft has a shaft portion inserted through theshaft holes and a receiving seat of a flange shape formed on a base endof the shaft portion; and the compression coil spring is disposed to anouter periphery of the support shaft, a base end portion of thecompression coil spring abutting on the receiving seat and a distal endportion of the compression coil spring abutting on the bearing platedirectly or through the resin cover.
 5. A free stop hinge according toclaim 3, wherein: the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate,said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate at apredetermined interval; and the support shaft has one end thereofinserted and locked in a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate ofthe hinge base and the other end thereof inserted and locked in a secondshaft hole formed in the receiving plate.
 6. A free stop hinge accordingto claim 4, wherein: the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate,said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate at apredetermined interval; and the support shaft has one end thereofinserted and locked in a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate ofthe hinge base and the other end thereof inserted and locked in a secondshaft hole formed in the receiving plate.
 7. A free stop hinge accordingto claim 2, further comprising a torsion coil spring, wherein: the resincover has a tube portion extending coaxially with the support shaft; thecompression coil spring is disposed on an inner periphery of the tubeportion; the torsion coil spring disposed on an outer periphery of thetube portion; and the torsion coil spring biases the hinge base and thehinge arm so that the hinge arm rotates with respect to the hinge basein a direction of opening the opening and closing member.
 8. A free stophinge according to claim 7, wherein: the hinge base is provided with areceiving plate, said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to thebearing plate at a predetermined interval; the support shaft has one endthereof inserted and locked in a first shaft hole formed in the bearingplate of the hinge base and the other end thereof inserted and locked ina second shaft hole formed in the receiving plate; the tube portion ofthe resin cover has a distal end formed with one or more of protrudingpieces each axially extending from an end surface thereof; the secondshaft hole has a periphery provided with a notch portion in which theprotruding piece fits; and the compression coil spring has an outerdiameter which is smaller than an inner diameter of the second shafthole.
 9. A free stop hinge according to claim 7, wherein: the resincover has an outer tube portion extending coaxially with the supportshaft and has, on an inner side of the outer tube portion, an inner tubeportion extending coaxially with the support shaft as well; thecompression coil spring is disposed between the inner tube portion andthe outer tube portion; and the torsion coil spring is disposed on anouter periphery of the outer tube portion.
 10. A free stop hingeaccording to claim 8, wherein: the resin cover has an outer tube portionextending coaxially with the support shaft and has, on an inner side ofthe outer tube portion, an inner tube portion extending coaxially withthe support shaft as well; the compression coil spring is disposedbetween the inner tube portion and the outer tube portion; and thetorsion coil spring is disposed on an outer periphery of the outer tubeportion.
 11. A free stop hinge according to claim 1, wherein: the hingebase is fixed to the main body portion; the hinge arm is fixed to theopening and closing member; the hinge base comprises a pair of bearingplates disposed on both sides of the hinge base and a pair of receivingplates disposed on an inner side from said bearing plates, each of thereceiving plates being disposed at a predetermined interval from saidbearing plate; the support shaft has one end thereof inserted and lockedin a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate of the hinge base andthe other end thereof inserted and locked in a second shaft hole formedin the receiving plate; and the hinge arm comprises a pair of the hingearms, so that each of the pair of the hinge arms has the bearing platedisposed to be brought into press contact with the inner side of thebearing plate of the hinge base through an intermediation of thefriction plate.
 12. A free stop hinge according to claim 2, wherein: thehinge base is fixed to the main body portion; the hinge arm is fixed tothe opening and closing member; the hinge base comprises a pair ofbearing plates disposed on both sides of the hinge base and a pair ofreceiving plates disposed on an inner side from said bearing plates,each of the receiving plates being disposed at a predetermined intervalfrom said bearing plate; the support shaft has one end thereof insertedand locked in a first shaft hole formed in the bearing plate of thehinge base and the other end thereof inserted and locked in a secondshaft hole formed in the receiving plate; and the hinge arm comprises apair of the hinge arms, so that each of the pair of the hinge arms hasthe bearing plate disposed to be brought into press contact with theinner side of the bearing plate of the hinge base through anintermediation of the friction plate.
 13. A free stop hinge according toclaim 1, wherein: the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate,said receiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate ofthe hinge base at a predetermined interval; and the compression coilspring is mounted while being compressed between the bearing plate andthe receiving plate.
 14. A free stop hinge according to claim 2,wherein: the hinge base is provided with a receiving plate, saidreceiving plate being disposed oppositely to the bearing plate of thehinge base at a predetermined interval; and the compression coil springis mounted while being compressed between the bearing plate and thereceiving plate.
 15. A free stop hinge according to claim 9, wherein:the inner tube portion extends to have a length shorter than a length ofthe outer tube portion; and the support shaft is inserted through aninside of the inner tube portion and provides a portion extruding fromthe inner tube portion, said portion extruding from the inner tubeportion having a tapered shape whose diameter gradually increases.
 16. Afree stop hinge according to claim 10, wherein: the inner tube portionextends to have a length shorter than a length of the outer tubeportion; and the support shaft is inserted through an inside of theinner tube portion and provides a portion extruding from the inner tubeportion, said portion extruding from the inner tube portion having atapered shape whose diameter gradually increases.